Wireless Protocol Disconnection Tolerance via Advertising
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless sensing devices face challenges in maintaining reliable bidirectional connections due to variable distances and interference, leading to frequent disconnections and increased power consumption, which disrupt data availability and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows sensing devices to continue generating data during disconnections and transmit it via advertising packets for a specified 'measurement' timeout, enabling client devices to receive data even during temporary disconnections and reconnect without data disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connection-based bidirectional communication is used, then reliability of data transmission is improved, but communication distance and tolerance to disconnection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between connection-based and advertising-based communication modes based on connection status. When connection is lost, the sensing device automatically transitions to advertising mode to continue transmitting measurements, and switches back to connection-based mode when reconnected, optimizing both reliability and adaptability across different operational states
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes communication parameters (mode, transmission method) based on connection state. The 'measurement' timeout parameter controls the duration of advertising-based communication after disconnection, allowing the system to adapt its behavior based on whether connection is active or lost
2Adaptability or versatility
If advertising-based unidirectional communication is used, then communication distance and disconnection tolerance are improved, but reliability of data transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares advertising packets with measurement data in advance, so that when disconnection occurs, the data is already packaged and ready for transmission. This preliminary preparation ensures that measurements can be immediately transmitted via advertising without delay, maintaining disconnection tolerance while ensuring data integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Advertising packets serve as an intermediary mechanism between connection-based communication and the external environment. When the bidirectional connection is lost, advertising packets mediate the continued transmission of measurement data, bridging the gap between the sensing device and client device during disconnection periods
3Adaptability or versatility
If connection reconnection cycles occur due to variable distance, then adaptability to mobile environment is improved, but data availability and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuous measurement data transmission by maintaining advertising-based communication during connection gaps. The measurement generation and advertising transmission continue uninterrupted throughout disconnection and reconnection cycles, eliminating data availability gaps and ensuring continuous data flow to the client device
4Productivity
If advertising transmission rate is increased to compensate for decreased reliability, then data transmission frequency is improved, but power consumption deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic advertising transmission at controlled intervals rather than continuous high-rate transmission. Advertising packets are sent at regular intervals during disconnection periods, providing sufficient data transmission frequency to maintain productivity while limiting power consumption through the periodic rather than continuous nature of the transmissions
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method which utilizes the benefits of both advertising and bidirectional connections to allow a client/receiving device to receive data, e.g. sensor measurements, from the source/transmitting device during device discovery and connection, thereby minimizing the amount of time during which data, e.g. measurements, are unavailable. The disclosed embodiments may further allow for reduced power consumption by a source device by minimizing data transmission during advertising.